This Friday, March 7, the Lord of the Warriors is celebrated, one of the religious festivals of a regional nature. Thousands of people are expected to go to the community of Las Ánimas in Parral and to the town of El Tizonazo in Indé, Durango state, to visit the crucified Christ. Even though it is not a liturgical celebration, it is a popular tradition that every first Friday of March people visit his temple to give thanks and ask for help from this Christ.
Leonel Larios Medina, head of the Diocesan Commission of Pastoral Communication in Parral, said that the veneration of the crucified Christ, who is known as “The Lord of the Warriors,” is a very local tradition. It is not a liturgical celebration of the Catholic Church; however, it is carried out because of the devotion that the people have towards this Christ. As well as this, there are other festivities in the country, such as that of the Lord of Chalma in the State of Mexico and that of San Juan de los Lagos in Jalisco.
The Lord of the Warriors: a regional religious festival
The priest indicated that this festival has become regionalized in the southern area of Chihuahua and northern Durango. This tradition was born from a pilgrimage to a chapel in the town of El Tizonazo, belonging to the Guerrero family, which had a crucified Christ. Over time, the name “Lord of the Warriors” stuck. In the Bible, only “God of the Armies” is mentioned and not “the Warriors.”
Likewise, the priest said that over the years it became a tradition for people to walk to the temple of the Lord of the Warriors every first Friday in March. It should be noted that in the town of Las Ánimas, municipality of Parral, there is also a Christ of the Lord of the Warriors. In Corral de Piedra, municipality of Santa Bárbara, it is also visited.
Warriors 12 This Friday, March 7, the Lord of the Warriors is celebrated, one of the religious festivals that is of a regional nature. Thousands of people are expected to go to the community of Las Animas in Parral and to the town of Tizonazo.
It is expected that both in Las Ánimas and in the community of Corral de Piedra, pilgrims will come to visit the Lord of the Warriors. However, thousands of people go to the town of El Tizonazo, municipality of Indé, Durango, to venerate Christ. This image is visited by thousands of people every year, where the devotion and miracles attributed to its intercession are known throughout the region since the 19th century.
Thousands of devotees are grateful for the miracles attributed
The Lord of the Warriors is one of the most anticipated festivities by believers of this Christ. There is much devotion and miracles attributed to his intercession. These celebrations take place throughout the southern region of the state of Chihuahua and in the north of Durango. However, pilgrims from other regions of the country also arrive.
Ash Wednesday will mark the beginning of Lent and will conclude on Holy Thursday, a time of reflection and purification that prepares the Catholic faithful for the celebration of Easter.
Men and women arrive walking barefoot, moved by faith and to give thanks for favors received. Mainly, families visit the temple to venerate the image of Jesus on the Cross. From the entrance road to Parral by the short route to the community of Las Ánimas, there are about two kilometers of dirt road, where many people walk the path with bare feet as part of a mandate or thanksgiving.
Believers arrive one by one to the temple of Las Ánimas to go to Christ. Generally, people kneel before the image and give thanks for favors received. Many parishioners come to ask for health for themselves or a family member. Most of the attendees pray or light a candle to the miraculous Jesus nailed to the cross.
Civil Protection recommends that people who plan to walk to Las Ánimas or spend time outdoors use sunscreen, loose, light-colored clothing and long sleeves. Parishioners are also advised to wear a cap, hat or umbrella, drink plenty of water and avoid drinking alcoholic beverages.
Generally, a popular festival is held outside the temple, where a fair is set up with mechanical games, food stalls and sales of various merchandise. In addition, masses are celebrated during the day. The main temple of the Lord of the Warriors is located in the community of San José del Tizonazo, a small town located in the state of Durango.
Source: oem
